Centre helps displaced workers

06/21/2007

BY VINCENT BALL
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

Companies looking for skilled, motivated workers need not look any further than the Steel Worker Action Centre on Morrell Street, says a centre spokesman.

"We have lot of people here - former GenFast and now former Easton (Coatings) employees - who are good, skilled workers and we want to make sure employers in and around Brantford know that," said Brian Van Tilborg, the centre's co-ordinator. "A lot of the skills they obtained at GenFast and also at Easton are transferable. They have skills other employers can use."

Van Tilborg, a former GenFast employee, made the comments during the centre's open house on Wednesday.

The centre aims to help former employees, both salaried and unionized, get new jobs or training needed to find employment. The centre has a job board, as well as phone, fax, Internet and computer services to help those looking for work and training opportunities.
Resumes can be kept on file at the centre, electronically and in hard copy. The centre also offers services such as employment counselling, vocational planning and advice on starting a small business.

Former GenFast and Easton Coatings employees qualify for a wage subsidy through Service Canada, Van Tilborg said.

The centre has been open for several weeks following the closure of GenFast Manufacturing in April. The company went into bankruptcy, putting more than 200 people out of work.

A month later, on May 25, Easton Coatings suspended operations, costing 70 unionized employees and 10 salaried staff their jobs.

In both cases, workers were left worried about severance pay, vacation pay and wages owed to them.

It took at least a month of legal wrangling before GenFast workers received their owed wages, as well as a portion of their vacation pay.

Former Easton workers are expected to receive their owed wages and vacation pay this week, after a creditor's meeting Monday.

Severance pay for workers from both companies remains an issue.

Meanwhile, workers are trying to get on with their lives and the centre is there to help them, Van Tilborg said.

"We're doing everything we can here to help them get a new job. One of the best ways of getting work is 'word of mouth' and we want to make sure everyone knows we're here."

There have been 23 confirmed hirings since the centre opened and he expects more people to become employed soon.

In some cases, workers have had to lower their salary expectations, Van Tilborg said.

The centre is a community effort that includes contributions from the United Steel Workers area council, provincial government, the city's economic development department, as well as King and Benton, which has provided the centre free space.

King and Benton's Steve Charest attended the open house and said the need for the centre is a "sign of the times." He said he wouldn't be surprised to see additional jobs lost in the manufacturing sector.

Charest, who provides free space to other action centres in the city, believes there's a transition taking place in the economy. And he thinks city officials and others should be doing more to lessen the impact on the community.

"This is a community issue and we need to get moving on this. But right now I don't see that sense of urgency out there."